Australia didn’t have the best of years in 2018 in the ODI format as they could only win two out of the 13 matches. Coming into 2019, the team, captained by Aaron Finch, would be playing three 50-overs contests against India, the first of which would be played tomorrow at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG). It won’t be easy for them as the visiting team is one of the strongest teams going around in the format.

Virat Kohli and Co are brimming with confidence following their triumphant Test series, which they won 2-1, and the visitors would want to carry on with their impressive run of form. In the erstwhile year, India won 14 out of 20 matches, losing only four of them. Even as the bowling needs to deliver, the focus would be on the batters, who have been one of the factors behind India’s constant success.

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Pitch and Conditions

In the last few days, there has been heavy rain in Sydney, so much so, that the Indian team had to practice indoors once. However, showers are unlikely to play spoilsport as there’s no forecast of rain for tomorrow. Nevertheless, teams would still want to field first after winning the toss in case the heavens open up and the much-debated Duckworth Lewis Stern (DLS) Method comes into the fore.

Team Combination

Australia

Aaron Finch and wicketkeeper Alex Carey are the opening batsmen. The left-handed pair of Usman Khawaja and Shaun Marsh would bat at number three and four respectively with Peter Handscomb to follow. Glenn Maxwell and Marcus Stoinis are the all-rounders and a lot would depend on them. The pace bowling lineup has Jhy Richardson, Behrendroff and Siddle with Nathan Lyon as the lone spinner.

Playing XI

India

There’s confusion about India’s playing eleven as the decision on Rahul and Hardik is yet to be taken. That won’t much difference to the batting. Rohit and Shikhar are the openers with captain Kohli and Ambati Rayudu to come at number three and four. Dhoni would most probably come at five. Kuldeep, Bhuvneshwar and Khaleel would play. One of Siraj and Shami is likely to make the cut for the contest.